The Kingdom Came Unseen
In my further reading and research of church history, I've noticed this; the lack of love.
What developed among those with the responsibility of gathering the sheep is what happens to all people who pursue power over others rather than service to their fellow man. The love for one another ( a piece of the foundation of the Gospel ) began to diminish when the temptations of power, influence, prestige and honor began to weigh heavy on their hearts. This is why disputing heresies by threat of death and getting involved in political wrestling matches with heads of states became more important than living by the example of Christ. The discussion about what certain scriptures meant and writing ever-increasing dogmas overshadowed the basics of the faith. The focus became Peter ( a man ) and what the office of Peter was believed to be ( a king by the world's standards ) instead of focusing on Yeshua ( Immanuel; God with us ) and laying one's life down for your friends ( the Way ).
The pattern by the narrow minded clerics in Rome of chasing the winds of this world gave rise to what became 'monks;' those who pursued an ascetic lifestyle away from the trappings of city life. The monks were focusing more on living out the Gospel and actually helping others. It was the monks who furthered the mission throughout the countrysides of the empire. The monks reflected what was missing from those struggling for power and political prestige. The monks continued in the faith, walking around in ugly overalls and collecting monies sent to Rome. Those who loved honor and titles continued focusing on dogmas and doctrines, walking around in lavishly flowing robes, gold plated adornments and feeding on the collections from throughout the empire. Some flexed their faith and love while others manipulated worldly weapons and worldly ways.
The faith-filled examples the unbelieving emperors, feudal lords and pagan hordes saw in the early Christians was soon to be overshadowed by the struggle to establish a visible kingdom of God.
However, God worked through the shortsightedness of religious men to establish something still invisible and still misunderstood Today.
Did God fail? Are you kidding?
It is men who fail every day to recognize and put their minds around what God has done.
We need to view history in the light of what God has done, and this again is not easily understood or 'seen.' One cannot say for sure how loose the disciples have loosened the Way for the world's people. Nor can one say for sure what exactly has been bound. One thing is certain; by the third century the church was accepted as the empire state's religion and the killing of Christians was outlawed.
After the church in physical form ( remember, no one can see who are the true sons and daughters of God - those who make up the kingdom ) permeated and absorbed the Roman Empire, the leaders of the church became examples of suspicions, of jealousy and of disunity.
Yet, God's will had not only been accomplished, but continued to be furthered despite the failures of men and their religious ways. When the Roman empire began to break apart, the Gospel wasn't hindered but allowed to go subtlety into places it couldn't go under the Roman banners.
This was simply another step towards heaven for the people of the world and an amazing accomplishment for a movement built on love, faith, hope and peace. This happened not by conquest of the sword of men but by the sword of the Word of God.
God's will has triumphed and Today, we still cannot see His invisible kingdom and all who are sons and daughters of His.
God continues in victory! Praised be His Holy Name!
What developed among those with the responsibility of gathering the sheep is what happens to all people who pursue power over others rather than service to their fellow man. The love for one another ( a piece of the foundation of the Gospel ) began to diminish when the temptations of power, influence, prestige and honor began to weigh heavy on their hearts. This is why disputing heresies by threat of death and getting involved in political wrestling matches with heads of states became more important than living by the example of Christ. The discussion about what certain scriptures meant and writing ever-increasing dogmas overshadowed the basics of the faith. The focus became Peter ( a man ) and what the office of Peter was believed to be ( a king by the world's standards ) instead of focusing on Yeshua ( Immanuel; God with us ) and laying one's life down for your friends ( the Way ).
The pattern by the narrow minded clerics in Rome of chasing the winds of this world gave rise to what became 'monks;' those who pursued an ascetic lifestyle away from the trappings of city life. The monks were focusing more on living out the Gospel and actually helping others. It was the monks who furthered the mission throughout the countrysides of the empire. The monks reflected what was missing from those struggling for power and political prestige. The monks continued in the faith, walking around in ugly overalls and collecting monies sent to Rome. Those who loved honor and titles continued focusing on dogmas and doctrines, walking around in lavishly flowing robes, gold plated adornments and feeding on the collections from throughout the empire. Some flexed their faith and love while others manipulated worldly weapons and worldly ways.
The faith-filled examples the unbelieving emperors, feudal lords and pagan hordes saw in the early Christians was soon to be overshadowed by the struggle to establish a visible kingdom of God.
However, God worked through the shortsightedness of religious men to establish something still invisible and still misunderstood Today.
Did God fail? Are you kidding?
It is men who fail every day to recognize and put their minds around what God has done.
We need to view history in the light of what God has done, and this again is not easily understood or 'seen.' One cannot say for sure how loose the disciples have loosened the Way for the world's people. Nor can one say for sure what exactly has been bound. One thing is certain; by the third century the church was accepted as the empire state's religion and the killing of Christians was outlawed.
After the church in physical form ( remember, no one can see who are the true sons and daughters of God - those who make up the kingdom ) permeated and absorbed the Roman Empire, the leaders of the church became examples of suspicions, of jealousy and of disunity.
Yet, God's will had not only been accomplished, but continued to be furthered despite the failures of men and their religious ways. When the Roman empire began to break apart, the Gospel wasn't hindered but allowed to go subtlety into places it couldn't go under the Roman banners.
This was simply another step towards heaven for the people of the world and an amazing accomplishment for a movement built on love, faith, hope and peace. This happened not by conquest of the sword of men but by the sword of the Word of God.
God's will has triumphed and Today, we still cannot see His invisible kingdom and all who are sons and daughters of His.
God continues in victory! Praised be His Holy Name!
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